Why we may never see the new Canaan

By Atieno Mboya

Photo Courtesy: The News Reel Library

Remember the Israelites in the good old Christian book? The Bible? The 100 plus humans spent 40 damned years wandering in a desert, after having a scuffle with He who gives them life, and they never got to meet their promised land. At least the lot that had left Egypt never did. so yeah! That story.

And Kenya is down that same path!

Overtime, the government has been keen on trying to change the education system from the all-time 8-4-4, to a newer 7-4-2-2 system to our kids. To them, it’s all about impacting the new generation with entrepreneurship skills. To us as citizens, it’s all about bad mouthing and criticizing. We become enemies of progress.

With the over 100 000 primary school kids to benefit from the laptop project and digital literacy programme, Kenyans still remain reluctant to accepting the new transition to provide manna to our school children. We backlash every move, binding our minds to petty politics, remaining retrogressive to change and investing in our children's future. We drive our focus away from offering quality education to our children, education that will actually help them pay their rental bills once they start families of their own. 

With the current unemployment rate that's at a rough estimate of 1.2%, and a slum growth rate of 2%, the country cannot stand a bloated unemployed lot. By 2030, the slum growth will be at 28 per cent more than it is now, with a bunch of hoodlums who cannot make a chair or table, and instead sit and wait for a monthly salary from their bosses.

The country is in turmoil as it is. The corruption question is more than ridiculous, debt too will quickly catch up, unemployment will be unmanageable, and when that happens, our fate lies on nothing more than wandering in a desert, simply because we failed to impact entrepreneurship skills to our young kids.

Let's face it! 8-4-4 is doing us no justice. It gears us for white collar jobs that aren't there in the first place. Picture Kenya in the next 20 years. If the Kenya now would be extrapolated to 20 years, what would we be standing on if the current systems are failing us? How will we deal with the overgrowing and ever growing population, if we can't offer them all job opportunities?





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Kenyan Primary Schools to Benefit from Digital Learning

By Atieno Mboya

Photo courtesy; The News Reel Library

Approximately 22 000 primary schools are connected to power supply countrywide, as a measure to enhance digital learning at a primary level. This is a move to replace the government’s laptop project, according to the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).

The Digital Literacy Programme (DLP), as opposed to the laptop project, is a programme aimed at instilling entrepreneurship and ICT skills to pupils at a young age, to facilitate independence and self-help at their early stages of life.

According to Mr. Aggrey Oduor, a curriculum developer at KICD, the current 8-4-4 system of education does not satisfy the market needs, and brews children ready for white collar jobs, rather than self-employment.

“The current system is misplaced. We need an education system that is market driven, that produces what the society needs, rather than having a system just because it has been there,” said Mr. Aggrey, during a recent  visit at the KICD offices.

“Our main aim is to expose pupils at an early age. If we have ICT and complement it with good internet and entrepreneurship, Kenya will be a totally different country in the next 20 years,” he added.

Photo Courtesy; The News Reel library

According to Mr. Aggrey, DLP will enable pupils to have their subjects online, just by accessing a link through any smart-tech device, and also enhance real-time interactivity just as in a normal class.

“DLP is easily accessible. In fact, as opposed to the laptop project where content was only in the school laptops, in DLP, content can be accessed anywhere, provided the pupils have a smart device. Whether at home or from their parents’ smartphones, they’ll be able to interact with content online,” he added.

Safaricom Kenya is set to be the Internet Service Provider for primary schools, to allow them to access content uninterruptedly, with good internet connectivity.

Other multiplier effects of DLP include lighting business centers and improving water supply in surrounding villages, through power used for pumping water.

The Students’ Governing Council; The truth meter.

By Atieno Mboya

Photo Courtesy: The News Reel library

How well do you trust the Students' Governing Council?

On a scale of 1-10, how well do you trust the Moi University Students’ Organization (MUSO)? How well do you trust them to objectively present your views as a comrade to the school administration?

A staggering 87.5 per cent of students in session in Moi University main campus, do not bear faith in the Students’ Governing Council to objectively, effectively and responsibly air their grievances to the school administration.

62.5 per cent of students on the other hand classify MUSO’s performance over the last three months as below average, with 38 per cent expecting the situation in school to be worse than it is now, were the current SGC to go for a second term, according to a recent preliminary study done on students from main campus.

75 per cent of students also expressed they would have a re-adjustment of the MUSO team if given a chance, with 50 per cent of these claiming to vote in leaders based on their achievements and successes so far.

Chart showing students' opinions on MUSO's performance

According to the study, students expressed the discontentment with the current council, claiming corruption and embezzlement of funds being a key issue.

Accountability was cited as a major issue, with some students claiming the members of the governing council being too careful to dodge exposes of their ghost projects in the school.

The preliminary study that focused on students from Hostel K, L, M and D houses, also revealed the dilapidated states of the hostels, with some rooms missing doors while others beds. Other rooms had free bed spaces, despite the over 200 students who still missed rooms, and had paid for the hostel and accommodation fee.

“We cannot give you more than Ksh. 2500” Dean tells students.

By Atieno Mboya

3rd year students waiting to be addressed by the dean. Photo Courtesy: The News Reel Library

Students from the School of Information Sciences were on Thursday afternoon treated to a shock, after their grievances on inadequate trip allowances failed to be addressed as per their wishes.

The 3^rd year students who are scheduled to go for an academic trip to Nairobi from Monday 29^th to Friday 4^th, were an irate lot after finding out they were only to receive Ksh. 25OO as allowance, for the 5 days they’ll be attending the trip.

“The school can’t be serious. How can they expect us to live in Nairobi, provide for ourselves our own accommodation and yet again cater for our own food in Nairobi, for 5 days with only 2500? Do they want to turn us into street boys?” said one of the angered students.

According to the Dean of the school, Prof. Wamukhoya, issues on raising the allowances required a process, since it’s a matter that cuts across all schools, and not just the School of Information Sciences.

“As a school, we cannot do anything about raising your allowance money for the trip which is to happen in 4 days. That is a matter you as students need to raise through your Students’ body, to the Senate. That’s how the issue will be addressed,” said the Dean.

“For now, we as a school are keen about ensuring the money to allow you guys to go out for a trip is settled,” he added.

The students however insisted on more action to be taken, considering they had been paying for the field trip fee since first year.

“We’ve been paying fee since first year. How can all that I have personally been paying amount to 

2500? Hii admin inacheza (the admin is joking)” added another.

This came two days after the students from the School of Human Resource rioted concerning the same issue of inadequate allowances for their field trip next semester.

Gigantomastia; the giants on your chest

By Atieno Mboya

Photo Courtesy: The News Reel Library

You walk past the streets of Moi, your chest holing up first place; it’s a plus for you considering the men attention you have. For a while now, you have been praised among your peers. You’re a celeb in hostel C, D, B, D, F, they all know you. Your milkies seem to have given you much reputation. Your pair of pillows are an instant attraction to men. They love you, you love it. It’s your moment of glory, you own the school. Your breasts own the town!

But are your breasts really breasts?

Approximately 27% of women in Kenya today live with gigantomastia, a condition in which they have extra-large breast size in proportion to their body weight, says medical expert Prof. Stanley Khainga of the Aga Khan hospital in Nairobi. In Moi University, 1 out of every 100 females in session suffer from the condition without their knowledge.

According to experts, gigantomastia is a condition scientifically proven to affect the female breasts, with the average weight of the breasts exceeding 3 per cent of the body weight. Patients suffering from gigantomastia have little knowledge of it, let alone knowing they have the condition.

“Gigantomastia, despite being quite common, has very little awareness surrounding it. Most women assume it’s genetic, while some assume it’s normal breast growth,” said Prof. Khainga.

Picture Courtesy: The News Reel library

Jane* (not her real name) is a student from Moi University, who has been living with the condition since her teenage. To her, it’s a matter of self-esteem and feeling out of place.

“I sometimes wish I could go for swim dates with my girlfriends. But the problem is the much attention someone like me attracts. In as much as flat chested ladies would want to have big busts, not all big busts are healthy. Some are actual medical problems”, she said.

"When I first noticed how my bra straps had dug into my skin, I thought it was normal breast development. but later on when my shoulders were dislocated, I got a hint that i should seek medical attention"

Stella*, still a student from Moi University, when asked about the condition, said she had no idea it existed, let alone know she had it.

“I’ve been living like this for a while now. My breasts are an instant attraction to men. It’s what they look at first before they look at my face. In as much as it’s derailing for someone to first look at your breasts instead of your face, I live with it. Because to us, it’s not a medical condition, it’s about having assets,” she said

According to Prof. Khainga, gigantomastia causes neck, shoulder and back pains and in other cases, it can cause the backbone to fracture or bend sideways. He also adds that in worse cases where the breast sits on the abdomen, the place becomes moist, may get fungi infected and have a bad odor.

John*, unlike Stella and Jane, is a boy but a student from the school of Human Resource Development. He has been a victim of gigantomastia, with one of his sisters suffering from the condition. He recalls having his older sister having a series of back pains and shoulder dislocations before she was treated.

“For me, I’m a man. So I may not really think it as a condition. At least I used to. Until my sister started complaining of shoulder pains and sharp back pains. No one in our family thought it was an issue, until an orthopedic surgeon told her she had too much weight on her breasts and had to get them reduced surgically. We had to spend close to half a million for her treatment when things got worse,” said John

According to scientists, gigantomastia is mostly hereditary, but can also be caused by excessive response to hormonal changes in girls. Also, obesity can be a cause of abnormal breast growth. Pregnancy too can enhance it due to the hormones released in preparation for breastfeeding.

Photo Courtesy: The News Reel library

Medics say that in as much as the condition is dire in affecting the back posture, it remains treatable through having a breast reduction surgery.

Renowned journalist attacked by MUSO Politician

By Atieno Mboya

Photo of Eddy Ashioya. Photo Courtesy: News Reel Library

A local renowned journalist was attacked on Sunday afternoon by MUSO’s (Moi University Students' Organization) Security and Accommodation Director, David Sanchez, while on his way to RobPol Hotel, in Moi University Main Campus.

Eddy Ashioya, the victim, was attacked while on his way to having lunch.

“I was headed to RobPol to have my lunch, before seeing nine men surrounding me at stage. They asked if I was Eddy Ashioya which I affirmed, and they proceeded to ask if I was the one who had written the article exposing MUSO’s ghost projects. That’s when I was hit,” said Ashioya, saying he had to report the matter at Kesses Police Station.

According to Eddy, the article in question was an expose of the mismanagement in the Students’ Governing Council, which shone light on the ghost projects the council claims investments into.

“MUSO is involved in so many ghost projects, you try to expose them and they hit back at you. How else do you expect a working governing council if they can’t allow the media to act as their watchdog?” added Ashioya.

The latest attack by Mr. Sanchez has sparked off different reactions from students, with some claiming Ashioya was offensive in the article, insulting Mr. Sanchez. This attack however comes months after the same Sanchez physically assaulted a fellow comrade Rolex Awiko, for the semester of September to December, for allegedly tarnishing his name.

Ashioya’s case is currently with the Dean of Students, Prof. Nathan Ayieko

7 Reasons why you should date a guy with locks

You have seen it for yourself; the lock vibe continues. Every left right and center guys are embracing the lock technology, looking hotter than they did a decade ago, in fact juicier. So if you’re looking for a guy to date, a guy with taste, packs, a vision, romantic and effortlessly loves you, look for locks and your prayers are answered. Disclaimer; the views in this article are solely and wholesomely held by Aileen’s heart. Because she can’t hold the love that burns within.

1. He’s sassy, classy and trendy. This baboon rival knows how to dress. He knows when the bowler hats go with a pair of khaki shorts and loafer shoes. He knows when to have a baseball shirt up, and when to have it a clean cut suit. He knows when to be naked, and when to be completely naked. Because either way, he always wins. He always has an A plus from me. A biased A plus.
2.  Because number 1 is boring. If you still walk into the barber shop and ask to be shaved a “number one”, you are boring. If your guy can’t be kinky and playful with something as little as hair, trust me, you’re going to have the most boring life ever. You’ll wake up to the same unkempt eyebrows, the same unbrushed teeth, the same unexciting everything. Too boring. Look for someone twisted. Someone who’ll treat you to a surprise breakfast in bed, a black forest cake for desert, and probably hide a fifty shilling note under your pillow. You know, good guys.
3. He’s fun and funny. If your boy has some branches on his head, keep that man. Lest Aileen will take him away from you. You have the world in your hands. The guy is a natural comedian. If he’s not, pretend to laugh and you’ll feel the fun. Because I don’t understand how you’d overlook this pretty God sent sexy thing. Good things come in limited edition. Enjoy the locks on your man before he turns thirty and looks like Eugene Wamalwa. You will want that hair someday
4.  He’s effortlessly cute. When I say effortlessly cute, I mean it. Because locked guys have cute eyes, cute lips, cute cheeks beneath a beard, cute eyebrows. They have lovely imaginary packs I could skip nights for. Even when they have none, the baby locks give the impression they do.
5. Locks is bae. I can’t think of anything exciting on a dude I could consider if not the hair. If you can’t grow a beard, at least have locks as a substitute. Kwa sababu hii tabia ya kuwa soft face inaboo. If facial hair seriously backfired on you, get some wax and grow that hair boy! Make your daddy proud. Grow what your daddy gave you.
6.  Let’s face it. These guys look good. If you’ve come across a guy who maintains his locks pretty well, you can agree that these guys look good. He has no blanket buds between his hair, no dirt, and his hair is always clean, black and upright. I’m not talking about the tiny one inch matutas some wannabes have on their heads. No. I’m talking about those strong mature soldiers. The battalion that walks on his head. The guy looks good, smells good, and how about we exchange contacts.

Finally brethren, the lock nation, represented by me, says live on brothers, keep those locks up and standing. Dready ni muhimu. More so if man, hair and Aileen come in the same sentence. And for those who look like toothbrushes with these tiny hair soldiers of mine, the world has a place for you, I don’t.